Folding bath-tub.



Patented Mar.8,1r910.

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L. F. 0NBILL.` FOLDING lBATH TUB. APPLIUATION FILED MAR z, 1909 pil@e LILLIS F. ONEILL, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

FOLDING BATH-TUB.

Serial No. 480,877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LILLIs F. ONEILL, acitizen of the United States, residing at 712 South Fifth street, Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Bath-Tubs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in folding bath-tubs, but more particularly that class of devices which are provided with a light framework, having secured thereto the ordinary canvas drill.

@ne of the objects of this invention is the construction of a folding bath tub provided with improved means for clamping the flexible body of the tub to the supporting frame.

`With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification wherein like characters denote corresponding parts; in which:

Figure 1, illustrates the improved folding bath tub in side elevation. Fig. 2, illustrates the device in plan view. Fig. 3, illustrates the improved bath tub folded. Fig. 4.-, illustrates the device in end elevation. Fig. 5, illustrates a modification having a clamping device for supporting the flexible material.

rIhe improved folding bath tub A, is provided with top rails A', of light wood niaterial, and vertical end members C4. The base rails B, are somewhat broader than the other members of the device, as they bear the entire weight of the framework. Said base rails B, are provided with short legs D, which are pivoted at D2, to said base rails. Formed in said rails B, are recesses D, for folding therein the legs D, said legs being flush with the base rails when folded.

rIhe end rails of the device are bisected and hinged centrally as indicated at G, and constitute separate rails C C', and C2 and C3 respectively.

On the inside corner of the folding bath tub are hinges I-I, which are located somewhat from the ends of the rails A and B, so that the ends of the centrally hinged rails can abut against said rails A and B,

aforesaid and be flush therewith. By this construction there is no possibility of the bath tub collapsing from handling or when in use.

To hold the bath tub in a fixed and rigid position,'diagonal braces J, are employed near the corners of the tub; they are pivoted to the rails at K, the opposite ends slipping around pins on the side rails A.

The rails A', and the top end rails C and C, have secured thereon, on the inside thereof, a flexible bath tub, preferably made of white canvas drill. In the modification Fig. 5, a groove Q, is formed in the rail A', for receiving a rod It, thus clamping the material by cams S, in place. The cams S are secured in place on the rails I-I by transverse plates, and are formed right angular, with their upper ends enlarged. This tub is in the forni of a quadrilateral bag E. The bottom F, of the flexible tub contacts the floor. By this means there is no strain on the framework of the device, except a slight lateral pressure against the canvas by the pressure of water within the bath tub. At the ends of the bath tub, at the hinges G, thereof, the canvas lil', is bulged inward as indicated at Fig. 2, of the accompanying drawings, to allow for folding as indicated in Fig. 3. To hold the tub in a compact form when folded for transportation, straps L, are employed, which are attached to suitable catches for the purpose in view. An opening N, through the end rail C3, is designed to allow the escape of liquid.

I do not limitthis invention to the exact construction as herein shown and described, as other devices may be employed and come within the scope of my invention.

That which I desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1 A folding bath tub provided with a framework, fiexible material composing said bath tub, said flexible material secured to the top rails of said bath tub, by rods entering grooves formed therein, clamping devices for holding said rods and flexible material in a fixed position in said grooves, as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LILLIS F. ONEILL.

Witnesses J. F. GoNnoY,

Jol-IN ScI-IMIDLER.

Patented Mar. s, 1910. 

